Air Fryer Crispy Sweet Potato Tots

• 2 medium sweet potatoes (about 1 lb), peeled and cut into chunks
• 1/4 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil for brushing or spraying

Instructions

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place the sweet potato chunks in a pot of boiling water and cook until just tender when pierced with a fork, about 8-10 minutes. Drain thoroughly and let cool slightly.
3. In a large bowl, mash the sweet potatoes until mostly smooth but with a little texture left. Add the shredded cheddar cheese, panko breadcrumbs, egg, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine into a firm dough.
4. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Shape the mixture into small tot-sized cylinders (about 1.5 inches long). The mixture should make around 30-35 tots. Place them on the parchment paper.
5. Lightly brush or spray the tots with olive oil to help crisp them up during cooking.
6. Place the tots in the air fryer basket in a single layer without overcrowding (you may need to cook in batches). Air fry at 400°F for 12-15 minutes, shaking or turning them halfway through cooking, until golden brown and crispy.
7. Serve warm with ketchup, ranch dressing, or your favorite dipping sauce.

Chef tips

• For extra crispiness, you can add an additional 2 tablespoons of panko breadcrumbs if the mixture feels very soft.
• If you don’t have panko breadcrumbs, regular breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes work well as substitutes.
• To speed up cooking, use leftover baked or boiled sweet potatoes instead of boiling fresh chunks.
• Make sure to dry the boiled sweet potatoes thoroughly to avoid soggy tots.